The key to the Marker: no picks

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The two statistics of note entering the Dakota Marker game Saturday are Zach Zenner’s 166 yards a game that leads the FCS in rushing and the 64.5 yards rushing that NDSU gives up per game, which ranks second in the FCS stats. Something will probably give in that area.

It’s been said in our video blogs that teams that have given NDSU the trouble the most in the past couple of years are the ones with a good running back. Youngstown State’s Jamaine Cook ran for 147 yards two years ago in the Penguins’ win at the Fargodome and Shakir Bell got some valuable yards, especially late in the game, in a 17-14 win earlier this year, again at the dome.

Certainly, Zenner will get the ball and he’ll play a factor somehow in this game. But these big games usually come down to the play of the quarterbacks and their ability to not turn the ball. That most likely will be the case again Saturday. NDSU needs Brock Jensen to be his 65 to 70 percent passing efficiency self. SDSU needs Austin Sumner to provide some big plays with his right arm and not be the guy that’s thrown 13 interceptions this year.

Last year, Jensen was 20 of 25 for 178 yards and no interceptions. Sumner was 18 of 31. Two years ago, NDSU’s Jose Mohler was 14 of 20 with no interceptions while Thomas O’Brien was 18 of 42 with four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns in a 31-24 NDSU win. Three years ago, NDSU’s Nick Mertens was 15 of 31 with two interceptions; O’Brien 13 of 21 with no interceptions and SDSU won that game.

The last time the winning team threw an interception in this series was 2004 when SDSU’s Brad Nelson was picked off once. He made up for it by throwing for the winning touchdown in the final 30 seconds in a 24-21 SDSU win.

16 thoughts on “The key to the Marker: no picks”

  1. Brock always play great in big games.

    Please make sure your seats are filled with Bison fans if you are going hunting this weekend.

    • I agree, if you aren’t going please give or sell your tix to someone who wants them. There were tons of requests on the Alumni page for tickets to this game last time I checked.

  3. Wow insightful.
    The bunny turds are the most overrated 7-2 team in history of sports. NDSU should come out and run the ball 8 times in a row and just shove it down their throats

  5. In my opinion the teams that have given the Bison fits have been able to do both run and pass. The Indiana State team did both to a certain extent but that game was more about turnovers.

    The Youngstown team was able to run and pass (Drevlow out didn’t help). That is why SDSU and Illinois State could both be scary. Feel good about this game though, Bison will be hyped and that is bad news for the Jacks.

    • ISU’s defense gave the Bison fits. Their offense did the same thing every other offense has done against the Bison D this year…. very little.

  6. This is arguably the biggest regular season home game in the D1 era. Actually bigger than UNI last year. This is for the CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP!

    There are ticket exchanges out there for weak fans who would rather hunt. Visit Bisonville

  7. Georgia Southern and SHSU seemed to have had good running backs and the Bison did fairly well. Shakir Bell is a fantastic back but it isn’t like he just destroyed the Herd. Yes, he had 26 rushes for 111 yards a 3.7 avg. However, 52 of his yards came on 3 carries. Yes, the yards were still allowed and they all count in the end. They held David Johnson from UNI in check as well. In the end, Zenner will probably get 80-100 yards.

    This game is on the offense, in particular the QB to NOT turn it over, make the smart plays and move those chains.

    One stat I found interesting is NDSU has only 10 sacks in 6 conference games. It seems like it should be more with how good the defense has been playing

  8. Sdsu is the most overrated 7-2 team in history of sports NDSU smokes them 38-14 @ the high school field in sd. With a good WR in moss and LB in domino they are both done, NDSU needs to jump on them from the get go. DON’T DEFER TAKE THE BALL AND RUN IT DOWN THIER THROATS

    • Go to bisonville dotco m and click ticket exchange there is info on the site for the alumni association ticket exchange go to Craigslist too

  10. Hey Jeff I read the article on Zenner. Do you think he has a chip on his shoulder because the Biosn only saw him as a preferred walk on and now he wants to show them what they missed? Is Zach Vraa going to play this week? He would be a huge help in the passing game. I heard he could have played last week I figured the Bison might hold him out one more game and then have him for this game. Go Bison!